Most helpful positive review

Killing Cupid from the Voss/Edwards writing duo is the story of wannabee writer Alex, who develops an unhealthy obsession with his tutor Siobhan, and believing he is in love begins to stalk her. Separate chapters cover Alex's viewpoint of the story and then Siobhan's as the story develops.

The thing with this novel as a single woman and a woman who lives alone, is that it does give you the actual creeps as you read it. He lurks in her house unseen, hiding in her wardrobe, he deletes an email which would positively effect her career, and buys her gifts with her own credit card. Alex is a seriously delusional human being who thinks of the day when she "invites him to move in" not as a fantasy or hope but states it in his journal as a certain fact. This is a good portrait of a stalker who in almost every case genuinely believe the object of their affection does or could welcome their attentions.

But, as Alex's behaviour pushes Siobhan to crack under the strain, her own breakdown brings about a whole new chain of events.

The central intelligence of Killing Cupid is that it takes what would commonly be known as the standard chick lit plot "boy meets girl, misunderstandings and obstacles ensue, happy ending" and perverts it making it a subversive version of that sort of novel, like a twisted reflection in a black mirror, the dark side of human emotion. It's like an anti-chick lit, chick lit, behaviours that can seem endearing in those sorts of novels, finding out where someone lives to try and "bump into them" become not the sweet fare of a Hugh Grant love story, but a woman's worst nightmare.

I also found Siobhan's initial response to Alex's withdrawal believable, what woman hasn't felt threatened when someone who said they were in love with you, seems to move on with someone you view as lesser? I think all women have felt that.

Naturally, at the extreme ends of the novel, particularly the end there is a lack of credulity, but in a way this is a necessary evil to complete the journey of the happy go lucky romcom novel through a distorted lens into a murky, seedy world of misfits and danger.

I really enjoyed this novel, the questions it posed about human responses and Alex freaked me out which he was duly supposed to do. I can think of people I know who would like this novel too, and can see why it would be popular. 9/10

Most helpful critical review

This book started off really well and was really enjoying it until about half way through when i thought it started to get a bit daft. I finished the book and ended up going to sleep with a smile on my face but dont know whether that was because it was so silly, a happy ending or just glad to have finished it. Probably worth a read if you have time on your hand but wouldn't go out of my way to recommend to a friend.

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Killing Cupid from the Voss/Edwards writing duo is the story of wannabee writer Alex, who develops an unhealthy obsession with his tutor Siobhan, and believing he is in love begins to stalk her. Separate chapters cover Alex's viewpoint of the story and then Siobhan's as the story develops.

The thing with this novel as a single woman and a woman who lives alone, is that it does give you the actual creeps as you read it. He lurks in her house unseen, hiding in her wardrobe, he deletes an email which would positively effect her career, and buys her gifts with her own credit card. Alex is a seriously delusional human being who thinks of the day when she "invites him to move in" not as a fantasy or hope but states it in his journal as a certain fact. This is a good portrait of a stalker who in almost every case genuinely believe the object of their affection does or could welcome their attentions.

But, as Alex's behaviour pushes Siobhan to crack under the strain, her own breakdown brings about a whole new chain of events.

The central intelligence of Killing Cupid is that it takes what would commonly be known as the standard chick lit plot "boy meets girl, misunderstandings and obstacles ensue, happy ending" and perverts it making it a subversive version of that sort of novel, like a twisted reflection in a black mirror, the dark side of human emotion. It's like an anti-chick lit, chick lit, behaviours that can seem endearing in those sorts of novels, finding out where someone lives to try and "bump into them" become not the sweet fare of a Hugh Grant love story, but a woman's worst nightmare.

I also found Siobhan's initial response to Alex's withdrawal believable, what woman hasn't felt threatened when someone who said they were in love with you, seems to move on with someone you view as lesser? I think all women have felt that.

Naturally, at the extreme ends of the novel, particularly the end there is a lack of credulity, but in a way this is a necessary evil to complete the journey of the happy go lucky romcom novel through a distorted lens into a murky, seedy world of misfits and danger.

I really enjoyed this novel, the questions it posed about human responses and Alex freaked me out which he was duly supposed to do. I can think of people I know who would like this novel too, and can see why it would be popular. 9/10

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When I got into this book, which was quickly I was brought into a world of a young man infatuated with his teacher leading him into headlong into the world of becoming a stalker. It was an intense longing for the man to stop his dangerous actions, that tortures the reader. It is a chilling account of the psychopathy of the stalker and the lengths they would go to to achieve their goals. There is a great twist in the story at the end and like real life there is no happy conclusion. Overall a brilliant psychological book, that is best left alone by the emotionally unstable. All the rest enjoy the rollercoaster ride.

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This book was recommended to me on Twitter by the one and only Peter James of all people. Well, with this in mind I had no choice but to read it. I'm normally a person who won't read on unless someone is brutally murdered by paragraph 3 but something in this book hooked me! It's an intriguing read and I was surprised to find myself turning over page after page ( i read in in 5 hours but I am a quick reader). All I can say is 'thanks Peter, that was a recommendation and a half'.

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It wasn't my usual favourite format for a book.. I am usually into the darker detective type thrillers however I absolutely loved this book and thought the authors did a fantastic job. You got to know the two main characters inside out and it took me on a journey where I started off with very little sympathy for Alex, almost fearing for Siobhan and what could happen to her. I couldn't put it down, having to read chapter after chapter consistently to see where it all went wrong. Slowly the scenario changes and in some way, shocked me, as you found Alex becoming 'the normal one' and Siobhan becoming more and more erratic. Their emotions to each other changed and kept the reader drawn in, wondering when it would all come crashing down for both of them. The style of writing, along with each chapter being written from the other characters perspective, really made this book work. Definitely one to read and one I would recommend. It offers a fascinating insight into emotions, human interaction and just how far someone is prepared to go 'in the name of love'

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When Alex joins a creative writing evening class he has no idea his life is going to become more exciting and scary than any story he could create. Siobhan the tutor at the evening class, has problems of her own, with one best seller under her belt she is having trouble writing another book and has just finished with her long time boyfriend. But she soon finds the meaning of problems when she realises she has a stalker, and her life summersaults into chaos.

Edward and Voss really do deliver, perhaps their continuous success as a writing duo stems from the fact that each contribute something different, making both male and female characters so believable and real. Alex and Siobhan literally jump off the page and get under your skin. This book started off with a good idea and they just ran with it, turning a good idea into a totally un-put-down-able read. Really brilliant, I loved it.

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Anybody who's ever been stalked, and that's a huge number of us apparently, will find this novel fascinating. It's a very well written, interestingly constructed, story that examines the close relationship between love and hate. Through the alternating first person narratives we get close to Alex and Siobhan, closer than we feel comfortable with in many places, but all the more compelling because of that. Do we get any nearer to understanding stalkers? Yes, I think we do. Driven, as they are, by Cupid's arrow, which makes all of us behave in ways we wish we never had at times, I found myself having more empathy for Alex and Siobhan than maybe a dedicated 'stalker' in real life would ever warrant, enabling me to get under their skins and think more deeply about this phenomenon. Quite an achievement and highly recommended.

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I bought this book for my Kindle after reading 'Catch your Death' by the same authors. I really enjoyed that one and looked forward to reading this.

I wasn't disappointed. The story is very different to 'Catch your Death' which is a good thing, as many authors tend to tell the same story over and over in each book they write.

Alex is stalking Siobhan. We get right into his head and listen to his twisted reasoning, 'she'll be happy I've just bought her lingerie with her own credit card!'. You initially sympathise with Siobhan and are creeped out by Alex. But eventually the tables turn. Then it gets REALLY interesting!! Throw in a dead body and you've got a great story with lot's of twists and turns.

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Mark and Louise have done it again, after the success of Catch Your Death they have followed it up with this gem of a thriller. Personally I finished it off in less than three days, good for someone that doesn't read a lot. I loved the story, its told from the perspective of two people, Alex and Siobhan both of whom are aspiring writers and it's their journal entries we read from.

The plot alternates between the two in a game of cat and mouse, both going through their own individual traumas, both past and present. It never lets up and is a real page turner (or for Kindle lovers, a click turner). I was slightly annoyed at the ending, but not in a bad way, I wanted it to turn out differently.

The characters are well developed throughout, and you'll find yourself at times picking sides, which gives the book a more unique feel to it.

Mark and Louise are a true triumph, and if they keep churning books out as good as this they'll continue to have a massive cult following.

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I loved this from start to finish. It was screamingly funny in a Black Books humour sort of way, yet tackled more serious issues. It's also based on a very unusual idea. i don't want to give a blow by blow rundown of plot, characters etc. Just read the book, you won't be disappointed..

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Siobhan is having a bit of a difficult time of things and hopes that taking a position as tutor of a creative writing class at the local college will give her something to get enthused about. Things go awry when one of the students, Alex, develops an unhealthy obsession with his teacher and begins pursuing her and showering her with ill-chosen gifts. He's convinced that this stalking is the best way to display the true depth of his love for Siobhan.

Then, about halfway through the book Alex meets someone new, throws himself into a fresh, healthy relationship, and Siobhan gets rid of the stalker who has been tormenting her for weeks. Seems like a win-win situation, right? But Voss & Edwards cleverly turn the whole story on its head with a really great twist. It's difficult to say exactly how without spoilers and I am loath to ruin anybody's potential enjoyment by giving too much away. Suffice it to say, the plot takes an unexpected direction and both the main characters are shown in a completely different light.

Apart from the twisted plot, I found that this book's great strength was its humour. Killing Cupid is done with a really light touch and there were several sinister moments that made me chuckle, despite the dark subject matter. I have read a few negative reviews that criticise this novel for being a bit silly and implausible - it is, but if you go into it expecting something fairly light and far-fetched then I think you'll enjoy it.

I believe this was the first book that Voss & Edwards wrote in partnership, and they have published a few more since. The plot of Killing Cupid lends itself particularly well to a writing duo (the chapters alternate between Alex and Siobhan's points of view). I can't imagine how they make this work elsewhere, but their other books seem to have been well-received so I'm definitely interested in reading more.